Telescoping animal resistant container

ABSTRACT

An Animal Resistant Container includes an inner compartment and an outer compartment. The outer compartment is comprised of a lip, an anterior end and a posterior end. The lip is disposed at the anterior end of the outer compartment. The inner compartment is sized to be contained within the outer compartment. The inner compartment is sized to be telescopically affixed with the outer compartment.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the area of food storage, and more particularly pertains to an apparatus for use in storing food, and securing food from animals.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One of the attractions for most people when hiking and camping is to see wildlife. At some national parks, campers, hikers, and backpackers can come into contact with moose, snakes, elk, buffaloes and bears. However, these attractions can also be accompanied by a panoply of different problems with which many park rangers have had to handle.

One of the more challenging problems with campers, hikers, and backpackers is their accompanying food. Oftentimes, many animals find it easier to solicit people for their caloric sustenance rather than forage or hunt for their food as dictated by nature. This problem leads to a serious issue of wildlife losing their ability to hunt or forage for food with the same acuity. Another problem is the safety of the campers, hikers, and backpackers and the wildlife. Many larger animals such as bears may have violent confrontations creating a safety issue for everyone involved.

To address this issue, there are laws which require campers, hikers, and backpackers to seal their food in strong containers. These containers make it nearly impossible for large animals such as bears to break into and access the food.

One of the problems which inheres with many of these containers is their large and bulky sizes. These sizes render them unwieldy when they are carried by campers, hikers, and backpackers in a backpack. Since most campers, hikers, and backpackers have a limited amount of strength and storage capacity on their person, these containers can present a challenge for many of them.

Therefore, what is clearly needed in the art is an apparatus which enables campers, hikers, and backpackers to store their food in a more space efficient manner. The apparatus should also be strong enough to withstand the tampering of a large bear.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus to be collapsible or telescoping for holding food. This telescoping apparatus can decrease in volume by close to 50% of its original volume. As the storage apparatus is collapsed, it may more readily fit into the backpack of campers, hikers, and backpackers and make for easier handling. This apparatus may also be specifically designed for bears.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a unique container is used to secure food while minimizing size and volume. The present invention is described in enabling detail below.

FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention. An Animal Resistant Container 100 includes an inner compartment 102 and an outer compartment 101. FIG. 12 illustrates that in some preferred embodiments, the outer compartment is comprised of a lip 185, an anterior end 186 and a posterior end 187. The lip is disposed at the anterior end of the outer compartment. The inner compartment is sized to be contained within the outer compartment. The inner compartment is sized to be telescopically affixed with the outer compartment.

FIGS. 8-10 illustrate that in some preferred embodiments, the Animal Resistant Container 100 may also incorporate a locking lid assembly 195. The locking lid assembly is comprised of a lid 103, and at least one fastening apparatus 205. The fastening apparatus is comprised of a threaded member 108, and a planar member 105 rotatably connected with the threaded member. The planar member is comprised of a long end 225 and a short end 235 as illustrated in FIG. 17.

In operation, the planar member is disposed such that the long end engages the lip 185 of the outer compartment when rotated, and the short end is disengaged with the lip of the outer compartment when rotated. A user may be able to take a coin, a screwdriver, or other object to turn the planar member in a clockwise or counter-clockwise manner in order to either open or lock the contents of the Animal Resistant Container 100.

FIG. 13 illustrates that in some preferred embodiments, the Animal Resistant Container 100 may also further include a sealant which is placed between the inner and outer compartments. The sealant is comprised of an inner material and an outer material. In some preferred embodiments, the inner material is composed of silicone. The silicone is disposed against the outer compartment. In some preferred embodiments, the inner material is comprised of Teflon® (polytetrafluoroethylene)-reinforced with fiberglass. (Teflon® is a registered trademark by DuPont.) The Teflon® (polytetrafluoroethylene)-reinforced with fiberglass material is disposed against the inner compartment.

It will be apparent to the skilled artisan that there are numerous changes that may be made in embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. As such, the invention taught herein by specific examples is limited only by the scope of the claims that follow. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An Animal Resistant Container comprising: an inner compartment and an outer compartment; the outer compartment is comprised of a lip, an anterior end and a posterior end; the lip is disposed at the anterior end of the outer compartment; the inner compartment is sized to be contained within the outer compartment; the inner compartment is sized to be telescopically affixed with the outer compartment.
 2. The Animal Resistant Container of claim 1 further comprising a locking lid assembly; the locking lid assembly is comprised of a lid, and at least one fastening apparatus.
 3. The Animal Resistant Container of claim 2 wherein the fastening apparatus is comprised of a threaded member, and a planar member rotatably connected with the threaded member; the planar member is comprised of a long end and a short end.
 4. The Animal Resistant Container of claim 3 wherein the planar member is disposed such that the long end engages the lip of the outer compartment when rotated, and the short end is disengaged with the lip of the outer compartment when rotated.
 5. The Animal Resistant Container of claim 1 further comprising a sealant; the sealant is comprised of an inner material and an outer material.
 6. The Animal Resistant Container of claim 5 wherein the inner material is polytetrafluoroethylene-reinforced with fiberglass; the polytetrafluoroethylene-reinforced with fiberglass is disposed against the inner compartment.
 7. The Animal Resistant Container of claim 5 wherein the outer material is comprised of silicone; the silicone is disposed against the outer compartment. 